Home › R › Remarks (Yellow markings in the wings)

Remarks (Yellow markings in the wings)

The yellow markings in the wings and tail of this species will always serve to distinguish it.

Range.-North America generally; breeds mostly north of the United States; winters as far south as the Gulf.

Washington, irregularly abundant W. V., Oct. to Apl. Sing Sing, irregular P. R. Cambridge, irregular W. V., Sept. to May; sometimes very abundant. Nest, of twigs and rootlets, lined with plant down and long hairs, in conif erous trees. Eggs, four, pale bluish white, thinly spotted with reddish brown, 67 x 46.

Like the American Crossbill, this bird is rather erratic in its movements, and its presence or absence at any season can never be predicted with certainty. It resembles the American Goldfinch in habits, but is more often found about coniferous trees, and its notes and song are less musical. It has been found nesting in May at Sing Sing, N. Y. (Fisher), and at Cornwall-on-Hudson (Allen).

Carduelis carduelis (Linn.). EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH. Ad.-Region about the base of the bill bright red; crown, and a stripe extending from it on to the sides of the neck, black; back cinnamon-brown; wings black, crossed by a broad yellow band; tail black, the inner webs of the feathers tipped with white; under parts white, the sides tinged with the color of the back. L., 5.50; W., 3.00; T., 2.95; B., 50.

FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC.